Ashes, Third Test, Edgbaston, July 29-Aug 2

[Arthur Crabtree]

Look who's second bottom of this list of averages of every player to have taken 20 wickets in home Ashes series.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=bowling

And second bottom of this one of every opener to have played five home Ashes Tests since WWI.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=batting

[Arthur Crabtree]

Are we measuring those who are deemed to have failed, against these statistics. Both have had one good Ashes, home and away. The same one.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I'm reluctant to say England should pick Bairstow, just because he had so many weaknesses on his previous appearances, including against hostile pace. He's already been dropped four times by England. Against that, I can't recall him coming into the side in good form before. In fact he usually comes in when he's not had a bat for a long time.

I'd keep the same team, but if there were to be changes, Compton to cover the top three, and Taylor the middle order. Taylor has succeeded everywhere for England A. He was the only bat who didn't bomb v Aus A a couple of years ago, and scored a (unconvincing, admittedly) ton against Australia in an ODI last winter. His county form isn't that great, but he's just scored a big hundred.

Give Bairstow an England A tour, and cover Buttler.

[Making_Splinters]

Quickly been forgotton that Cook has been as big of a problem in the top order as anyone else. Regardless of the size of the loss we shouldn't be making sweeping changes.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Look who's second bottom of this list of averages of every player to have taken 20 wickets in home Ashes series.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=bowling

And second bottom of this one of every opener to have played five home Ashes Tests since WWI.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=batting

I see Brearley is one place above Cook, worrying.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Though obviously, Bairstow will be next in, and I hope he does well.

We're not allowed to mention KP! It's like the SS studios! Have we had a call from Andrew Strauss?

As for the bowling, I have no ideas, not even knee jerks. Hope seems to think Rashid is the latest to have fallen out with the backroom. But I suspect Moeen is doing as well as anyone will. I have no confidence in Finn, though he's next in line for a pace spot.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Look who's second bottom of this list of averages of every player to have taken 20 wickets in home Ashes series.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=bowling

And second bottom of this one of every opener to have played five home Ashes Tests since WWI.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=batting

I see Brearley is one place above Cook, worrying.

Both specialist captains.

[budgetmeansbudget]

I'm reluctant to say England should pick Bairstow, just because he had so many weaknesses on his previous appearances, including against hostile pace. He's already been dropped four times by England. Against that, I can't recall him coming into the side in good form before. In fact he usually comes in when he's not had a bat for a long time.

I'd keep the same team, but if there were to be changes, Compton to cover the top three, and Taylor the middle order. Taylor has succeeded everywhere for England A. He was the only bat who didn't bomb v Aus A a couple of years ago, and scored a (unconvincing, admittedly) ton against Australia in an ODI last winter. His county form isn't that great, but he's just scored a big hundred.

Give Bairstow an England A tour, and cover Buttler.

If Taylor makes runs against this Aussie attack I'll eat my bat.

[hopeforthebest]

Interestingly, James Whitacker is at Edgbason today. Wonder if he's there to talk to the groundsman about the pitch England wish to have.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I'm reluctant to say England should pick Bairstow, just because he had so many weaknesses on his previous appearances, including against hostile pace. He's already been dropped four times by England. Against that, I can't recall him coming into the side in good form before. In fact he usually comes in when he's not had a bat for a long time.

I'd keep the same team, but if there were to be changes, Compton to cover the top three, and Taylor the middle order. Taylor has succeeded everywhere for England A. He was the only bat who didn't bomb v Aus A a couple of years ago, and scored a (unconvincing, admittedly) ton against Australia in an ODI last winter. His county form isn't that great, but he's just scored a big hundred.

Give Bairstow an England A tour, and cover Buttler.

If Taylor makes runs against this Aussie attack I'll eat my bat.

Eating a bat that flies around a churchyard wouldn't be too much of an ask for a carnivore. A cricket bat would take more doing.

[Aidan11]

Interestingly, James Whitacker is at Edgbason today. Wonder if he's there to talk to the groundsman about the pitch England wish to have.

I liked what they were sayingon CWOTV yesterday that groundsmen tend to be a bit cussed. If JW tells someone how to prepare a pitch he might find himself underneath the heavy roller.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Taylor has 220*. Not that county runs mean your going to score in the Ashes, for JT of Bairstow, but it does suggest form.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Interestingly, James Whitacker is at Edgbason today. Wonder if he's there to talk to the groundsman about the pitch England wish to have.

I liked what they were sayingon CWOTV yesterday that groundsmen tend to be a bit cussed. If JW tells someone how to prepare a pitch he might find himself underneath the heavy roller.

That was just journalists/Sky typically following the ECB lead.

The acceptance that the pitches will be sweetened to suit the taste of the home side is a real turn off to me. Other than they should have normal home characteristics. Selvey has been saying what the pitches should be like.

[hopeforthebest]

Taylor has 220*. Not that county runs mean your going to score in the Ashes, for JT of Bairstow, but it does suggest form.

Bell scored a chanceless century for Warks just before the ashes.

[Arthur Crabtree]

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=bowling

The Anderson stat works for all bowlers. I originally only included pace bowlers.